A Woman's View from the Street 9/30/19

TXWSW, Limitless

Happy Monday!

Celebrating our Limitless Leaders: today we honor Nichole Ake. Nichole is Senior Vice President at BBVA Compass, TXWSW Houston Education Chair and TXWSW Board Member. Read more about why she gives back: https://txwsw.com/limitless-leaders/

Many of you in Dallas will be familiar with Merrie Spaeth. Merrie served two terms in the White House as President Regan’s Communications Director. Today she has her own communications consulting firm and I am a huge fan of the work she does. She recently shared an article exploring the unique communication challenges that women face, namely that when a woman is asked a question, they are more often than not prevention questions. “Prevention”-styled questions can be basically framed as “What do you see that could go wrong?” while “promotion” questions sound like “Where do you see huge opportunities for a payoff?” Women were assumed to be more cautious, more conservative, less likely to take risks because they adopted the parameters of the question and answered in a defensive mode as opposed to answering the question while including a positive point. The full article can be found here.

Melinda Gates wrote a powerful piece on steps to achieve gender equality in the US. “The World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index measures gender equality based on women’s representation in the workforce and public office, as well as health and education outcomes. According to WEF’s projections, at the current rate of change the United States is still 208 years away from achieving gender equality (compared with Canada’s projected 51-year timeline and the United Kingdom’s 74-year timeline to close their gender gaps).” As my readers know, the reason to care about gender equality is economic growth. When 51% of the population is fully engaged in our society and economy, we all benefit. The full article can be found here.

Lastly, also from HBR, the gender gap in six charts can be found here.

You will note that we have our two amazing fall fundraisers set so far. For Houston we have a treat – a private magic show featuring Champion Magician: Ben Jackson. Our Houston committee has arranged for an amazing array of goodies for the raffle all from female-owned businesses. Thank you to the following sponsors for supporting girls’ education in Houston Haynes and Boone LLP, Christine Breck, The Sterling Group, BBVA Compas, Lissa Gangjee, Jahaira Lazo, Rushana Cypert and Brasada Capital. Sponsorships options are available, please contact Bianca B. King at 214-460-6092 or developmentdirector@txwsw.com.

Join us for a chance to win prizes from amazing local Houston businesses that have generously donated to our silent auction; they include:

Houston Raffle and Silent Auction Donors

Big Ass Balloons, HIP Fitness, Gorjana, G R A Z E HTX, StudioForm, Revolution Studios, Volaré Studio, Little Couture Parties, Soleil Organics, CoolSculpting, Deseda Houston Grand Opera, Lo & Sons, MM La Fleur, Kendra Scott, Soul Cycle, Alley Theatre, 2-night stay in a New Braunfels vacation condo, The Children’s Museum of Houston, Main Street Theatre, Dash Suite tickets (14 tickets), Define Body, Love & Make DIY Shop (Rice Village), Nothing Bundt Cakes.

In Austin, we have our wonderful Boots & Blackjack Casino Night at the Line Hotel. Thank you to the following local Austin companies that have generously donated to our November 7th Silent Auction. Attend for your chance to bid on these stellar items benefiting the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. Get your tickets here 

I would ask each of you to consider corporate sponsorship of TXWSW. Benefits include attendance at our flagship events and recognition for your firm. To learn more, you may find our sponsor information here. Additionally, we would be happy to create a custom sponsorship for you. Please contact Bianca King at developmentdirector@txwsw.com

Kind regards

Christine

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